Tour '26, Stage 21: Finishing It Off!

Amazingly, Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech) found the legs after chasing Tadej Pogacar to hold off the fast-closing peloton in the finally six hundred meters of the Tour de France.  As he did the sprinter's bike throw he looked to his right to see his teammate Jasper Philipsen celebrating.  At first, I thought that Philipsen had outsprinted his teammate, but no, he was celebrating MDVP's stage victory on the Champs Elysees.  That means that their team went first and second in the final stage of the 113th Tour de France.  It was the Maillot Vert taking third on the stage.  Mads Pedersen gave up five points to Philipsen, but it was hardly enough points to change the final destination of the sprinters' jersey. Behind it was Biniam Girmay, Olav Kooij, Max Kanter, and Anthony Turgis with the less than successful sprints.  Nevertheless, it is no small feat to have made it over the alps and three times over the climb up Montmartre to even be in the top ten on the stage.

This is the last painting of this year's Tour de France.  I will have six days off and then I will be back with the Tour de France Femmes.  I hope you will read along with the women's race, too.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

Purchase this painting here: "Finishing It Off! TdF26-164" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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Tour '26, Stage 17: Chasing Along the Valley Road

The peloton started the day in the Vouge mountains but left them behind about halfway through the stage.  The early climbs blew the peloton apart before they reached the valley roads.  This trio of Mauro Schmid (Jayco-Alula), Aaron Gate (XDS-Astana) and Huub Artz (Lotto-Intermarche) were stuck between the lead group hoping to close forty-nine seconds with the peloton three-and-a-half minutes further back.  Despite a constant changing series of attacks and make-up of the peloton it seems that the highly placed on the general classification are happy (finally) with who is off the front.  They did eventually catch those up the road.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

Purchase this painting here: "Chasing Along the Valley Road TdF26-123" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Learn more about Greig Leach at The Art of Cycling: About the Artist: Greig Leach

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Tour '26, Stage 14: View from the Back

Bruno Armirail (Visma-Lease a Bike) sits at the back of the early breakaway as they drop off of the Grand Ballon.  It is a tradition (and a superstition) to wear the number 13 upside down to ward off the bad luck.  It hasn't worked so well for Armirail who has crashed at least twice during this Tour.  Maybe if the bib number was pinned on upside down, rather than printed upside down it may have worked better.  He is following Lennert Van Eetvelt (Lotto-Intermarche), Simone Velasco (XDS-Astana), Egan Bernal (Netcompany-Ineos) and the rest of the large break down the sweeping turns.  Given the speeds that the modern peloton descends, they really don't have time to take in the majestic vistas just to their left.  I have heard ex-pros talk about never seeing so many of the sites along the course of the Tour (or most any professional race).

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

Purchase this painting here: "The View from the Back TdF26-94" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Learn more about Greig Leach at The Art of Cycling: About the Artist: Greig Leach

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Tour '26: Stage 13: Just Enough Road

While you can see the eight former companions of the leading duo, it wasn't as close as it seemed.  Both Mauro Schmid (Jayco-Alula) and Harold Tejada (XDS-Astana) had slowed down, each trying to force the other to the front as they rode in the final kilometer of the stage.  Schmid said in a post-race interview that he was trying to get Tejada to jump first as the chasers closed in.  It worked. Tejada opened up the sprint looking like he would get the stage.  He faded in the final meters, and Schmid was able to get the victory.  As he crossed the line, he first pulled up his front wheel then smashed it down in a celebration of his win.  Not a move I remember seeing before.  Closest thing would be Peter Sagan's wheelies as he went over mountain top summits while in the groupetto.  Behind, Tom Pidcock (Pinarello-Q36.5) was able to outsprint the others for a well-deserved third place on the stage.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

Purchase this painting here: "Just Enough Road TdF26-92" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Learn more about Greig Leach at The Art of Cycling: About the Artist: Greig Leach

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Tour '26: Stage 13: Capturing the Move

The race is filmed by a minimum of four TV Motos and at least two camera sporting helicopters.  Throw in the stationary cameras at the intermediate sprint and the finish, there is quite a good chance of capturing all of the main action of any stage of the Tour de France.  I always enjoy when one cameraman catches another at work.  So it was with this Moto filming what looks to be the winning move off the front of the break by Mauro Schmid (Jayco-Alula) and Harold Tejada (XDS-Astana).  The pair had opened up just nine seconds on their erstwhile companions as they raced the final fifteen kilometers into Belfort.  They were helped by Schmid's teammate, Luke Plapp discouraging the chase behind.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

Purchase this painting here: "Capturing the Move TdF26-90" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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Tour '26, Stage 12: Back Through the Cars

Not sure why the trio of Nicolas Vinokurov (XDS-Astana), Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek), and Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost) were off the back, but the TV Moto was very interested in tracking Pedersen's progress back into the peloton.  He seems adept at dodging his way in and out of all of the team cars and other race vehicles that follow the peloton all around France (and a bit of Spain this year).  He had been alone, but as he got to the lead vehicle of the race commissare he joined by with the Champion of Qazaqatan as they all tagged on to the tail of the entire peloton save a sole breakaway guy.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

Purchase this painting here: "Back Through the Cars TdF26-81" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Learn more about Greig Leach at The Art of Cycling: About the Artist: Greig Leach

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Tour '26, Stage 10: So Close

Max Kanter (XDS-Astana) and Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) were at it again in the intermediate sprint early on in Stage 10 of the Tour de France.  It looked like it would go the way of Kanter, in fact, it looked like he sat up just before the line.  Pedersen, never one to give up, kept going and did the classic sprinter's bike throw to win the maximum points by a photo finish at the line in Lacapelle de Fraisse.  This win will increase his lead over those who hope to pull on the Maillot Vert themselves.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

Purchase this painting here: "So Close TdF26-66" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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Learn More About the Artist →  

Tour '26, Stage 8: On the Outside

Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) and Max Kanter (XDS-Astana) were pre-occupied with each other's sprinting for the points available at the intermediate sprint in Saint Cyprien that they were caught off guard by Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Premier Tech).  Pedersen has been collecting maximum available points at these intermediate sprints.  That combined with his one stage win is why he is wearing the Maillot Vert or the 'sprinter's jersey.'  Today he was just beat by the bike throw of Kanter.  However, both were caught off guard by the sprint of Philipsen.  He hasn't given this hard of a run for the intermediate sprint thus far instead choosing himself for finale instead.  That hasn't worked out for him yet either.  Maybe this sprint is a sign that his fortunes will change when the peloton gets to Bergerac.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

Purchase this painting here: "On the Outside TdF26-54" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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Learn More About the Artist →  

Tour '26, Stage 7: The Usual Suspects

I'm hoping you get the famous line from Casablanca that this title is referencing.  Or is my age showing, again.  Today's intermediate sprint in Landrias was for third best since the two-man break was still up the road.  It was the usual group of sprinters that we have seen most every stage vying for the most sprint points still up for grabs.  Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) added to his advantage and ensure that he would continue to wear the Maillot Vert even if he scores no points in Bordeaux at the end of the day.  He was followed across the line in turn by Biniam Girmay (NSN Cycling), Max Kanter (XDS Astana) and Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Premier Tech).  I admit that until this Tour I had never heard of Kanter, but he continues to impress me.  I wouldn't be surprised to see him take a stage in the near future.  Of course, my heart is pulling for Girmay.  Yes, I do have my favorites.  Admit it, you do, too.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

Purchase this painting here: "The Usual Suspects TdF26-48" (Original art by Greig Leach)

 Learn more about Greig Leach at The Art of Cycling: About the Artist: Greig Leach

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Tour '26, Stage 5: A Clean Set of Wheels

I feel I may need to explain the title.  A clean set of wheels means that someone as such an advantage at the finale, that no one is anywhere near them, thus a clean set of wheels refers to no one in their slipstream or threatening to pass them.  That is just how strong of a sprint Olav Kooij (Decathlon-CMA CGM) was able to mount. He has now won his first Tour de France stage and in so doing got the first stage win for his French team as well.  Unable to match his burst of speed but still holding on for second was the guy who took the intermediate sprint, Max Kanter (XDS-Astana).  The final step of the podium in Pau went to Tim Merlier (Soudal-Quick Step) followed in turn by Huub Artz (Lotto-Intermarche).  Biniam Girmay (NSN Cycling) only managed to finish sixth, but did add some more points in his quest for the Maillot Vert.  I am not sure where the current wearer of the sprinter's jersey finished, but Mads Pedersen did hold on to his Green Jersey.  In fact, none of the leader's jerseys changed shoulders today.  I doubt that will be the case tomorrow as they race over the Tourmalet before ending atop Gauarnie-Gedre.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

Purchase this painting here: "A Clean Set of Wheels TdF26-37" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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Tour '26, Stage 5: Dry Run

With just one guy off the front and the peloton all together, the intermediate sprint was the chance for a dry run of the expected sprint finale in another 45 kilometers' time.  I was surprised to see Max Kanter (XDS-Astana) pop out to grab second place ahead of some of the marquee sprinters of the peloton.  He had a bike length or two on the Maillot Vert of Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) and Biniam Girmay (NSN Cycling).  A little bit further back was the French sprinter Anthony Turgis (TotalEnergies) who seems to be hanging around near the front of the sprints, but not quite getting the right jump on the others.  I'm not quite sure what this says about the coming sprint in Pau, but I do know it should be an exciting one.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

Purchase this painting here: "Dry Run TdF26-34" (Original art by Greig Leach)

 Learn more about Greig Leach at The Art of Cycling: About the Artist: Greig Leach

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Tour '26, Stage 3: No Contest

When Mads Pederson (Lidl-Trek) managed to bridge up to the breakaway, I figured it was just for this.  He seems to be amassing sprint points in hopes of claiming the Maillot Vert.  These uncontested maximum points in Campdevanol put him in the virtual jersey, but the climbs to come may prove his undoing.  He looks back just to make sure neither Alex Baudin (EF Education-EasyPost) nor Joris Delbove (TotalEnergies) were going to try and jump him in the final meters to the line.  Behind those three, Marc Hirschi (Tudor Pro Cycling) and Harold Tejada (XDS-Astana) were just keeping an eye out.  Oft times someone will launch an attack just after the intermediate sprint.  It is a great chance to surprise the others since most sit up after the sprint effort waiting for the group to come back together.  Today, the break just got back to the task of trying to gain more time on the following peloton.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

Purchase this painting here: "No Contest TdF26-17" (Original art by Greig Leach)

 Learn more about Greig Leach at The Art of Cycling: About the Artist: Greig Leach

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Liege Bastogne Liege '26: Attacking for Third

With the miles running out, Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) attacked what was left of the peloton with just ten kilometers to race.  His move was covered by Christian Scaroni (XDS-Astana).  It took a bit for Mauro Schmid (Jayco-Alula) to respond having been on the front for a while now.  The group did come back together, but in the end it was Evenepoel that was able to sprint to claim the final step of the podium.  That was a nice reversal after getting dropped so soundly on the ascent of the Cote de la Redoute.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Attacking for Third LBL26-6" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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Tour '25, Stage 21: On Top of Montmartre

It was exciting to watch real racing on the final stage of the Tour this year.  The race took in the same circuit used in the 2024 Paris Olympics road race, the same Olympics that forced the Tour to finish in Nice last year.  After four laps of the tradition Champs Elysees circuit, the race went up to the top of Monmartre, back down the other side before riding around the l'Arc de Triomphe again.  They made three of these laps to end on the Champs Elysees.  This Tour marks the 50th time the Tour has ended in the shadow of Napolean's triumphal arch.  Since it was sure to rain on the cobblestones of Paris, the decision was made to take the final time on the final Champs circuit before the race went up the narrow streets behind the Moulin Rouge.  So there was no reason for Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) to be off the front but for the simple reason he wanted to win the stage.  On the first time up to the artist enclave, he was chased by Davide Ballerini (XDS-Astana), and the Visma-Lease a Bike duet of Matteo Jorgenson and Wout Van Aert.  The Visma guys were the only teammates to make the split once over the top of the climb.  That was partly due to help of their teammate Victor Campenaerts.  That set them up to use Matteo as the attacker and Wout as the follower.  This is an important detail to how the stage turned out.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"On Top of Montmartre TdF25-143" (Original art by Greig Leach)

This painting has sold.

Tour '25, Stage 16: Starting Ventoux with 6 Minutes

This quartet hit the start of the only climb of the day, Mont Ventoux, with six minutes on the peloton containing the Yellow Jersey.  They were being led up to the official start of the climb (they have been climbing for a while now) by Thyme Aremsman (Ineos-Grenadiers).  The Dutchman was followed in turn by Julian Alaphilippe (Tudor Pro Cycling), Enric Mas (Movistar), and Simone Velasco (XDS-Astana).  The group will be cheered all of the way up by the tens of thousands of fans lining virtually every meter of the climb.  While they have six minutes over the peloton the bulk of the remainder of the large early breakaway is now climbing behind them in multiple groups ahead of the Maillot Jaune.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Starting Ventoux with 6 Minutes TdF25-105" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 11: Holding Off the Chasers

It was the three that got away at the start and the pair that joined them that were still holding off the chases from behind.  There was a group of five a half of a minute behind them unable to close the gap.  The peloton sat another two minutes further back equally unable to close up to these five.  With twenty-one kilometers to race it was looking like Jonas Abrahamsen (Uno X-Mobility), Davide Ballerini (XDS-Astana), Mathieu Burgaudeau (TotalEnergies), Mauro Schmid (Jayco-Alula) and Fred Wright (Bahrain-Victorious) were going to fight it out for the victory back into Toulouse.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"Holding Off the Chaser TdF25-70" (Original art by Greig Leach)

 

Tour '25, Stage 6: Five Chasing Two Chasing One

Given all of the effort it took to get into what will almost certainly be the winning move of the day, it isn't that surprising that these five got dropped first by the lone attack of Ben Healy and then the counter move by both Quinn Simmons and Michael Storer.  This quintet of Will Barta (Movistar), Eddy Dunbar (Jayco-Alula), Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck), Simon Yates (Visma-Lease a Bike) and Harold (XDS-Astana) had built up three-and-a-half minutes on the peloton containing the Maillot Jaune.  Van Der Poel had started the day a minute-and-a-half behind Tadej Pogacar, after yesterday's individual time trial.  At this point he still had the virtual yellow jersey by two minutes.  We know why he had worked so hard to get himself into this move.  

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"Five Chasing Two Chasing One TdF25-37" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 6: The Ones that Finally Got Away

Over a hundred kilometers into the stage the seven-man breakaway was finally established.  The group containing Eddie Dunbar (Jayco-Alula), Will Barta (Movistar), Simon Yates (Visma-Lease a Bike), Harold Tejada (XDS-Astana), and Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek) amongst two others have now built up a minute and twenty seconds.  It is a little different to find two Irishmen and two Americans of the front of a stage of the Tour de France, most of the other guys hail from countries more commonly seen on the move in the Grande Boucle.  Will this be the move that goes all of the way to the line?

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"The Ones that Finally Got Away TdF25-34" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Tour '25, Stage 2: Not Ideal

Today started in under less than ideal conditions.  The riders face a cold, windy, and rainy start of the day as they rode towards the English Channel.  The rain made for slick roads.  In fact, as Bruno Armirail (Decathlon-Ag2r-La Mondiale) started the break away, he almost went down on the first hard right turn.  He was quickly joined by the Norwegian Champion Andreas Leknessund (Uno X-Mobility), the Qazaqstan Champion Yevigeniy Fedorov (XDS-Astana) and Brent Van Moer (Lotto).  The quartet build up just over three minutes before the peloton decided that was all they were going to get.  

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $99 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Not Ideal TdF25-7" (Original art by Greig Leach)

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Criterium du Dauphine '25, Stage 3: Three Chasing One

When the solo rider attacked the break, the rest spent too much time trying to make the others do the chasing.  Finally, this trio of Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), Louis Barre (Intermache-Wanty), and Harold Tejada (XDS-Astana) realized the stage win, and with it the yellow jersey, was putting seconds into their aspirations. These guys had to make up fourteen seconds in a mere kilometer and a half.  I doubt there is any chance of that happening.  Instead, just two of them will be contenting themselves with a step on the podium.  They never managed to get any closer, but it was Tejada taking second and Barre taking third.  Despite, or more likely because of, all of his efforts it was Lipowitz who missed out.  The three now hold the same positions in the general classification that they finished in Charantonnay.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"Three Chasing One CdD25-15" (Original art by Greig Leach)